Lethal Resuscitation

Dr. Cathy Moreland Mystery #6

by Mairi Chong

Dr Cathy Moreland welcomes the chance to stay at a country hotel for an advanced life support course. But the atmosphere among her fellow practitioners seems fraught with tension—and the equipment meant for saving lives is instead used to kill...

But the victim will not be the only one to die—and when Cathy discovers that intimidating notes were being sent to the attendees, including one that calls Cathy herself out for an unethical act in the past, she must find out who may have broken an oath to do no harm . . .

Genres: Mystery

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2022

About the author

Mairi grew up in the north-east of Scotland. The dramatic coastal village proved to be the perfect back-drop for imaginative play alongside her brothers.

"The neighbours must have hated us. We were always up on someone's shed roof tracking down smugglers, or digging in a ditch, hoping to unearth hidden treasure!"

Mairi read voraciously from a young age. Both her father and grandfather were great storytellers and read aloud to her, encouraging her to invent stories of her own. Their support led her to gaining a scholarship to study creative writing at a prestigious summer school.

In reading, she gravitated towards crime fiction, beginning with Agatha Christie, and moving on to Dorothy L. Sayers and Josephine Tey.

"I must have been a bit of a pig at school. I remember at the age of ten asking if the library had Bleak House! In my defence, I still think it was a good call. Dickens was one of the great pioneers in detective fiction."

Creativity took a backseat when Mairi chose to study Medicine at Dundee University. She qualified as a general practitioner, enjoying the variety of the work.

"I suppose I fell in love with every medical specialty as I moved through university. I especially enjoyed A&E and psychiatry. When I think about it, it’s probably because both involved listening to people’s stories."

Within General Practice, Mairi specialized in addictions psychiatry, women’s health and family planning, but following the devastating personal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, swiftly followed by renal cancer, she was forced to take a career break.

"It was a wake-up call really. I was ambitious and the illnesses forced me to prioritise. In many ways, it was the best thing that could have happened to our family. I realised that I needed to be at home with my beloved son. I felt that I had missed out on too much. As I slowly recovered, I read with him the stories I had myself once loved. I found it brought back my own appetite for books. I think, what with the mental illness and work, I had lost that part of myself entirely. The writing came not long after. It seemed like a very natural progression. Like rediscovering a long forgotten and much- loved friend."

Happily, Mairi has been declared free from cancer and now lives a peaceful existence deep in the Scottish countryside with her husband, son, cats and horses. She has even been known to deliver the odd calf for the neighbouring farmer if he’s in a fix.

"Stories are everywhere around me; I don’t need to go hunting for them. Sometimes the smallest comment or thought can spark an idea for a book. I know it seems impossible, surrounded by such beauty, but believe it or not, it’s the ideal place to plot a murder."

Reviews

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you go on a pre-hospital emergency training course, you don’t expect the scenarios to feature real dead bodies! Lethal Resuscitation is the sixth book in the Dr Cathy Moreland medical murder mystery series - as with the previous books, they can be read out of order, but it’s more satisfying to return to these characters when you know their history. This was another cleverly crafted crime story which uses the author’s medical knowledge to create an unusual setting for an amateur detective to practice her sleuthing skills.

Cathy is having a few days away from her GP job to update her Advanced Life Support skills. Her best friend Suzalinna happens to be one of the instructors, and they are looking forward to catching up in the comfort of a posh country hotel. Then one of the attendees is found dead in the scenario room, and Cathy learns that all of them have shameful secrets in their past. Who could’ve been driven to murder, and how does the death connect to an elderly GP contemplating retirement on a remote Hebridean island?

This series is really quite addictive, so it’s great that the author has been able to keep coming up with new ways for her heroine to stumble across murder victims without them becoming formulaic. She manages to keep me in the dark as to the perpetrator every time, with well placed red herrings and an intriguing cast of possible suspects, but without relying on gimmicky twists. Gus’s story was incredibly sad - a dedicated doctor faces retirement after serving his adopted community for forty years after promising never to leave his beloved wife.

Because of my own background, I’ve become rather attached to Cathy and Suzalinna - it was nice to see Cathy is a good place personally and with her psychiatric illness under control, and she does actually try to stay out of the investigation initially, but of course can’t help but get drawn in and once more ends up showing up the hapless police. 4.5 rounded up for evocative writing and perfectly paced plotting.

Thanks to Mairi Chong for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Lethal Resuscitation is published on June 15th.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloodhound books and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another great book in the Dr Cathy Moreland series.
Cathy is on a training course in immediate emergency care and the story is based in a hotel where all the course attendees and instructors are staying. Her best friend Suzalinna is one of the instructors.
When one of the other instructors goes missing and is found dead during a fake scenario, everyone attending becomes a suspect including Cathy and her friend. Will she be able to solve the case before there is more deaths and will she survive?
Another fantastic read that kept me hooked and guessing until the end.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books six in the Dr. Cathy Moreland Mystery series and I’ve read them all. This time Cathy‘s staying at a country hotel on an advanced life support course, and one of the instructors is her best friend Suzalinna. There’s a cracking first chapter to this book and it did make me wonder slightly about the cosy mystery tag I’ve always put on this series! As usual the story is written in an easy read style and well plotted with a side story about a retiring doctor on the island of Skeln.

Briefly, the hotel they are staying at is closed, apart from those involved with the course. There are six attendees and three instructors plus the hotel owner and one member of staff. When one of the instructors is found murdered the police, aware of Cathy’s previous involvement in a number of murder cases, ask her to sit in on the interviews. Then speaking to a number of the other potential killers she finds that a number of them have received anonymous and cruel notes. Is this connected with the murder?

Although this is the sixth book in the series it could easily be read as a standalone. Good characterisations and I did think this was a particularly unpleasant set of people. Once again Cathy puts her sleuthing skills to great use and plenty of red herrings kept me guessing who the culprit was, although one big hint did have me pointing the finger in the right direction at one stage. Another enjoyable outing in this satisfyingly cosy series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Helen]

What another fantastic book in the Dr Cathy Moreland Mysteries although can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend the other books in this series as they won’t disappoint.

This book is set at a country hotel where Dr Cathy Moreland is taking an advanced life support course along with other doctor’s and a nursing practitioner. It is a small group, and they are the only people staying at the hotel along with the 3 course assessors one of which is Cathy’s good friend Suzalinna. On the second day of the course only the women turn up on time and it is decided that they can have a go in there first scenario a crash at night. The three women enter the room to start and on assessment find an extra body one of the assessors is dead. Now the fun begins….

I love reading this series it is so well written and you immediately are able to picture the story unfolding, all the characters and the settings very well written. The book made me feel like I was an onlooker to the events, I really did not want it to end.

[Sandra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is coming out June 15, 2022. Also, the paperback is June 2nd of 2022. This is the six-book in the series of Dr, Cathy Moreland.

Dr. Cathy Moreland went to a country hotel an advanced to have life support courses. When Dr. Cathy Moreland is once again in a mystery of murder and mayhem. This is character is wonderful. I enjoy all the intrigue and discovery of what going to happen next. The book is entertaining and exciting. You meet other characters, like Mr. Faber, Suzalinna, who Cathy known for years, Charles McKinley, and his wife Joan, Martha, Jamie, Ryan, Duncan, Andrea, Gus, and more. Equipment meant for saving lives is instead used to kill a bad-tempered doctor, Kenneth. Then police and Chief Inspector Forbes came. Then starts the mystery. This is a great book to enjoy and read this fantastic book it' this June 15. 0f 2022. Great Summer read. I hope you enjoyed it too.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series just keeps getting better (but can be read as a stand-alone). Dr Cathy Moorland signed up for an advanced accident and emergency certification course, and her friend Dr Suzalinna is one of the instructors. It’s a small group of only 6 participants, plus the 3 instructors, and they have the whole hotel with no other guests present. It seems that everyone is a bit testy and there appear to be past relationships at play. The first day was review and instruction with practicals in the afternoon. The next day they would be assessed and certified. But a murder disrupts the next days proceedings. This is a complicated murder mystery, and has so many twists and turns, with a totally unexpected ending! I am on the ARC team and received a free copy. I write this review voluntarily.

[Liz T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lethal Resuscitation is one of my favourite Dr Cathy Moreland mystery books so far.
When Cathy goes away on a resident advanced life support course for medical practitioners that her friend Suzalinna, a consultant A & E specialist is helping to run you wouldn't expect a resulting murder or two. However, someone has knowledge of every attendees' past, things that have happened in their line of work that they would rather keep hidden. When one of the three course tutors is found murdered in the Skeln room, a room set up to test how those on the course might act in an emergency, there are plenty of suspects who might have a motive.
Running alongside the main murder mystery is the story of the current resident doctor on the island of Skeln and his imminent retirement. It soon becomes clear that past happenings on the island may have some bearing on the present murders. All becomes clear in the Agatha Christie style denouement when all the characters are assembled. It was brilliant.
Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for an ARC.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books so far in this series and each one gets better. Every time I think the one I'm reading is the best yet, then the next one comes along and proves me wrong.

This time Cathy and Suzalinna are at a hotel for some training, Cathy as a trainee and Suzalinna as one of the instructors. It soon becomes clear that some of the attendees know a particular attendee from an earlier life and not in a friendly way. When the body is discovered of one of the instructors who was quite a belligerent man, we are left wondering which of the people at the hotel is the culprit. The discovery of a second body then makes things even more intriguing.

I loved this so much. I love the locked-room type setting as I find it makes things more claustrophobic and adds to the tension. This in turn makes me want to keep reading and not put the book down. I have warmed to Cathy more and more as the series has gone on, and I really like her relationship with Suzalinna. I'm not sure how long more to go in this series but I hope there's plenty more to come.

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this, and this is my honest review.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is not my first story by this author but it is one of my favorites yet. I found this book to be well written with twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a story that is fast paced and full of action. The characters are strong, connectable and supportive of each other. This is a story that is hard to put down and had me coming back for more. I enjoyed watching the characters grow throughout the story which made it easy to read. This is an entertaining story that you don't want to miss. This is a story about breaking an oath and one uneithical past that comes back to haunt. I highly recommend this book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read in the Dr Cathy Moreland mystery series. It's always nice to have familiar characters return in a series and to see how relationships and friendships develop, even though you can read these as a stand alone.

Well-crafted, suspenseful and the characters are, once again, well-presented and believable. I had to wait until the end to find out who had comitted the crime due to the long list of plausible suspects, including Cathy and her friend Suz, each hiding secrets which may or may not be relevant to the situation.

Well-paced, well written and a really enjoyable read.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC and for introducing me to Dr Cathy Moreland.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 6 of The Dr. Cathy Moreland Mysteries, and for me one of the best ones of the series. This time we find Cathy and Suzalinna in a hotel for a course certification on medical emergencies, a course that Suzalinna and two other medical professionals are giving, of course there is a mystery to resolve with two bodies involved.
A very well written book that reminds me of the mysteries of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, this book will keep you guessing almost until the end, and you'll never guess right who did it.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great outing for Dr Cathy Moreland. She is attending an emergency resuscitation course, however, finds the atmosphere strained. There is obviously an atmosphere between the instructors, one of whom is Cathy’s friend Suzalina.
The participants have to share rooms, which again causes some unease. Things get worse as the course progresses and then whilst undertaking a practical session there is an actual corpse. Again Cathy gets involved in solving the case.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most intriguing Cathy Moreland story yet. Well written with characters you may have come across on your travels and either empathise with or want to jump in the book and shout at them. Well plotted and thought out. Keeps you wondering until the end. A very satisfying read. Thanks to the author for the ARC. This is the best in series yet.

[Gemma P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another brilliant installment in the Dr Cathy Moreland series, they really do keep getting better and better. Cracking plot that gallops along and keeps you guessing. Mairi Chong is fast becoming my favourite author in the cozy mystery genre.

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the previous books another great read in the Dr Cathy Moreland series. What I consider cosy crime, the storyline just flows making them easy reads. Although this is part of a series it could actually be read as a stand-alone but I personally would recommend reading them all just for the enjoyment super sleuth Dr Moreland brings.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What begins as a group of medical professionals gathered for additional certification, turns into a chilling and perplexing mystery. Seemingly innocent characters are slowly exposed for the crimes each has committed in the past. Ms Chung does a superb job of peeling away the onion until all is exposed. Baffling, brutal, and beautifully written. Highly Recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the Author and Bloodhound books for my ARC copy of this book. I Absolutely loved this book and I would not have guessed the end it was pure genius on the Author's part.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in the series by Mairi Chong, really enjoyed the storyline in this book and each book I read seems to get better! A new favourite author!

[Kay Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the wrong killer again! How do you do it Mairi! Fantastic series and sad that I’m away to read the last one in the series of Dr Moreland

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous book in the Dr Cathy Moreland series. This time, we see Cathy away at a medical training course, where the instructors and students take over a hotel. When one of the instructors does in mysterious circumstances, all of the remaining instructors and students are under suspicion - can Cathy help the police solve the case before anyone else dies?

I really enjoyed this one, I loved seeing more of Suzalinna - hoping the next one has more of Cathy's fledgling relationship with Chris! The books do stand alone, but I like the fact that we have returning characters and see the relationship progression if you read them in order.

[Josephine Bilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is fast becoming the queen of the classic cozy mystery.
This can be read out of sequence, though you would miss the subtle changes to the character. In this latest novel Cathy has grown in confidence. She and Suzalina are on a medical course in a remote location. Secrets are gradually exposed as the murder mystery deepens.
The author misdirects so well that I didn't realise who the killer was.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very Agatha Christie -like book with the mystery taking place at an old hotel, which used to be a manor house. I didn’t buy the idea of the murderer though, when that person was revealed. That person didn’t seem all that smart or sophisticated, so the intricately-planned and executed murders were not all that believable. It wasn’t entirely believable that a lot of the participants would know each other beforehand or have some connection from the past.

[Peesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again she’s done it! Brilliantly written & a fab storyline.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the Dr. Cathy Moreland series!

This book finds Dr. Moreland in a hotel with just a few other fellow medical professionals. They are there to get some refresher training in case there is an emergency that they need to handle. Of course, someone (actually a couple someones) turn up dead. Dr. Moreland (begrudgingly so because she is also on the killer's radar) is on the case!

As always Chong somehow makes it seem not totally insane that Dr. Moreland get involved to help figure out what is going on. Again, the who did it isn't someone you'd really expect so it has almost gotten to the point where you pick one of the least likely people to focus on. Still, how Dr. Moreland arrives at her conclusion is incredible as always.

I hope there are more books in this series because I absolutely love them!

Thank you Bloodhound books!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Cathy Moreland is hoping to avoid another murder whilst away on a medical course but they just keep finding her. This time she becomes one of the suspects and has to prove her innocence.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could sum up this book in two words Absolutely Fabulous.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Dr Cathy Moreland Mysteries, all standalone books in their own right. This one has got to be my favourite up to now.
Not surprisingly I was totally captivated from the beginning to end. It certainly kept me guessing right through and I was totally out witted by the author. I just love the way she so cleverly has her storylines flow into one another to form a conclusion.
The descriptive side of the characters, the areas the book is set in are very captivating. The plot and storyline so cleverly written with some lovely twists and surprising revelations.
I certainly thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and look forward to more books from this clever author.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the arc copy this is my honest unbiased review.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mixed bag of people turns up at Huntington Lodge Hotel for a course on emergency treatments. One is a nurse and five are doctors, including Dr Cathy Moorland, and are being taught by Cathy’s friend Suz (an A&E consultant), a helicopter medic and an advanced paramedic. Some seem to recognise others there but none of them seems pleased to see each other. Even the instructors don’t seem to be getting on. Two of the attendees, a married couple, are due to take over a posting on a remote Scottish island and the reader also hears about the retiring doctor on Skeln and some dark episodes in the island’s past. The first day is a little fraught with some being competent and some anxious, and after an evening meal where certain people seem to be drinking more than is good for them, only the four lady doctors including Suz and Cathy make it in time for the first practical session the next morning. Nothing goes to plan when one of the dummy bodies due for resuscitation turns out to be one of the lecturers. And worse still, it seems someone has already had a go at bringing him back to life before leaving him for dead! Chief Inspector Forbes turns up with a team of police and, having heard about Cathy’s prowess in amateur sleuthing, is keen to share his thoughts with her. Unfortunately those thoughts soon turn to murder! Then a rather poisonous note is sent to Suz and another doctor is found murdered. When it looks like Cathy and Suz are the main suspects, the ladies pull out all the stops to find the real killer.
The mystery is well kept up throughout this story and, with plenty of red herrings and viable suspects presented all the way through, I was changing my mind about who the killer could be right up to the end! It was great to see more of Suz again and her no-nonsense attitude calms Cathy when she needs it – they make a great pair!! I would recommend reading the whole series to fully appreciate the history and great relationship between these two ladies. Like all the others in this series, it is superbly written with a clever twisted plot, and a smashing ending albeit tinged with a little sadness. The final book in this series (sob!) is out now. 5*

[Cyndar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read


I have been enjoying the mysteries in this series. I knew who the guilty party was, but not why. The crimes were goosebump- inducing. There was a downturn in the suspense and action right before the final reveal, which left me with some questions about motivation and execution. I would have liked to have given it another half of a star. I
I have read all of the Cathy Moreland books, and hope the author will write more of them. 4 1/2 stars.

[tracy miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great murder mystery from Mairi. Mairi really builds up the suspense and characters as usual. Everyone becomes a suspect and it's only revealed in the last chapters. It's always a surprise whodunit

[K. Counihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 of 7 Lethal Resuscitation

This was another very good read. I like the authors writing style and the quirky characters.This was another very good read.